The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse will hold a roundtable in Sydney tomorrow to discuss the prevention of child sexual abuse in out-of-home care.
Convened by Justice Jennifer Coate and Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, the roundtable will bring together state and territory government representatives, regulators, policy experts, providers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, academics and advocacy groups.
Royal Commission CEO Janette Dines said the roundtable discussion formed an important part of the work of the Royal Commission.
“We know that children placed in out-of-home care often have complex and traumatic life experiences that increase their vulnerability,” Ms Dines said.
“That is why we have arranged a roundtable that brings together people with a range of perspectives, expertise and experience to help us better understand how sexual abuse of children can be prevented in out-of-home care.
“The roundtable will explore monitoring and oversight of out-of-home care; recruitment, training and support of carers; prevention through practice; and support and responses to children in care.”
The roundtable discussion follows the release of an issues paper on preventing sexual abuse of children in out-of-home care, which generated 63 submissions from the community, state and territory governments, advocacy groups and peak bodies.
Date: Wednesday 16 April 2014 Venue: Level 17, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney Time: 10:00am – 4:30pm
A small public gallery will be open to members of the public.
